Aviva

Senior Legal Counsel – Surety | Aviva Canada At Aviva, we believe in the strength of working together. Our shared values — Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence — guide everything we do. Aviva Canada is a prominent player in the property and casualty insurance sector, providing a wide range of coverage — from home and auto to lifestyle and commercial insurance — to more than 2.5 million customers nationwide. As part of UK-based Aviva plc, we draw on over three centuries of global insurance expertise and financial strength. We are currently seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join our corporate legal team within the General Counsel’s office. This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with our Surety business in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. We’re looking for a strategic, business-oriented lawyer with at least five years of relevant legal experience in-house or in private practice. Your Role: As dedicated legal support for our Surety division, you’ll be a key member of its senior leadership team. You'll advise on a broad range of corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters across areas including Contract Surety, Developer Surety , and Commercial Surety . You’ll also work closely with the legal team and business leaders on restructuring, transactions, and other initiatives involving surety matters. We’re looking for someone who’s practical, solutions-driven, and confident navigating complex legal frameworks. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential, along with a proven ability to manage legal risk while advancing business priorities. Key Qualifications: Licensed to practice law in a Canadian province Minimum 5 years of post-call experience in private practice and/or corporate legal departments Deep understanding of Canadian corporate and commercial law Expertise in banking, finance, and insolvency law is strongly preferred Experience in construction, surety, or insurance law is a significant asset Skilled at advising senior leadership and managing external relationships Exceptional drafting and negotiation abilities Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and judgment Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively A proactive, collaborative mindset with the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs Why Join Aviva: A competitive compensation package including base salary, annual bonus eligibility, retirement savings, and a share plan Generous vacation policy, with the ability to purchase additional days off Access to wellness initiatives and health benefits from day one Flexible, hybrid working arrangements that support work/life balance Career development support, including educational sponsorship A diverse and inclusive workplace, with employee-led programs supporting LGBTQ+, gender equity, and cultural diversity Volunteer programs and personal wellness benefits Please note: We may use AI tools to support our recruitment process. This is a newly created role and is open to both internal and external candidates. Aviva Canada is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of your employment journey due to a disability, please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner to ensure appropriate support is provided.

Individually we are people, but together we are Aviva. Individually these are just words, but together they are our Values – Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence.   Aviva Canada is one of Canada’s leading property and casualty insurance groups, providing home, automobile, lifestyle and business insurance to 2.4 million customers. A subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, Aviva Canada has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a sustainable future for our people, our customers, our communities and our planet. In 2021, Aviva plc announced Aviva’s global ambition to become a net zero carbon emissions company by 2040.   We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Counsel in our corporate legal team within the General Counsel office. We are looking for a business-minded lawyer with a minimum of 8 years of post-qualifying in-house and/or law firm experience to help deliver first class legal advice and support to the Aviva Canada business.   This role offers a great opportunity to work with a highly collaborative corporate legal team. You will be able to apply and further strengthen and grow your skills and experience in a broad range of corporate and commercial legal matters in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.   Does this sound like your next role? Read on!   What you’ll bring: Call to a provincial Canadian bar with a current license. Minimum of 8 years of post-qualifying inhouse and/or law firm experience. Demonstrated strong knowledge and experience in Canadian corporate and commercial law. Knowledge and experience in insurance and/or working with large financial institutions would be a definite asset. Demonstrated experience working with senior management and executives. Proven ability to manage projects, negotiations and relationships (internal and external). Strong drafting and negotiation skills. Strong oral and written communication skills. Proven ability to work collaboratively with team members, peers and collaborators. Responsive to the needs of the business. Possess strong problem-solving skills, with ability to provide timely, pragmatic and commercially focused advice. Ability to spot, troubleshoot and summarize legal issues and ability to effectively convey recommendations to partners. Aviva offers a flexible working model which allows this role to be split between working remotely and working at Aviva’s Markham and Toronto offices.   What you’ll get: The salary band for this position ranges from $133,800 to $248,600. Please note that individual salary is determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills and experience, as well as internal equity. Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities. Outstanding Career Development opportunities. We’ll support your professional development education. Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year Employee driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity and inclusion Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health Hybrid flexible work model   Please note that we may use AI tools to help us through the recruitment process. This is a new position which has been posted both internally & externally.   Aviva Canada has an accommodation process in place to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities. If upon commencement of employment you require a specific accommodation because of a disability, please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged. This process applies throughout your career with Aviva Canada.